Hendricks and Lawler with battle for the vacant
Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight crown in the
UFC
171 main event on Saturday at the American Airlines Arena in
Dallas. The 170-pound throne was left empty when St. Pierre vacated
the title in December, less than a month after he retained it with
a controversial unanimous decision over Hendricks at UFC 167.

A two-time NCAA national champion wrestler at Oklahoma State
University, Hendricks has compiled a 10-2 record since arriving in
the UFC in August 2009. Lawler, meanwhile, has rattled off three
straight wins since downshifting to 170 pounds, taking care of
Josh
Koscheck, Bobby
Voelker and Rory
MacDonald.

Sherdog.com touched base with a number of professional fighters and
trainers to gauge their opinions on the UFC 171 headliner:

Andrew
Craig: I think this is the most excited I’ve been for
a card in quite some time. Not only are six of the baddest dudes at
170 pounds fighting, but it’s in the great state of Texas. I’ve
been a fan of Lawler for a long time now, and I think it’s his time
to shine. I know Hendricks has a hell of a chin, but I’m taking
Lawler with a championship-round TKO.

Gabe
Ruediger: I think initially they are going to stand,
but Hendricks will eventually use his wrestling and put Lawler on
his back. Both have KO power, but Hendricks’ wrestling is the big
factor, in my opinion. Barring some amazing KO, I’m going with
Hendricks by decision.

Benji
Radach: Robbie can get it done, but both fighters can
one-hit-quit anyone if they can land right. I’m way stoked to
watch.

Tom
DeBlass: I am going to go with Hendricks by decision.
I believe he will be able to take the fight to the ground.

Tom
Lawlor: Hendricks wins by TKO in round two, although I
will be happy if Lawler wins so that marginal fans become confused
and think I am the welterweight champ.

Luke
Barnatt: Hendricks can wrestle his way to victory, but
you can never count out Lawler. This is a super exciting
matchup.

Jason
Dent: I probably shouldn’t pick with my heart, but I’m
hoping to see Lawler pull off the W. I’ve had the privilege of
fighting on the same card with him way back out in Hawaii.
Hendricks’ wrestling mixed with his heavy hands might be too much,
but I’m picking and pulling for Robbie.

Joe
Duarte: I am a fan of both guys. They each have
one-punch KO power, but I have to give a slight advantage to
Hendricks for his wrestling. I’m not picking either to win. I’m
rooting for both guys.

Jesse
Ronson: Lawler has been around for a while and
deserves it, but Hendricks is a hungry beast with a solid chin,
even better wrestling and equal power. He wins. He can and will
control where the fight goes. It only makes sense to go with
Hendricks.

Daniel
Downes: Next to Lazarus, Lawler has been more
resurgent than anyone I can think of. Hendricks has the tendency to
get reckless with his striking, and that could give Lawler the
opening he needs to take control. After the GSP fight, though, I
think that “Bigg Rigg” has learned a bit more about tactics, takes
a more measured approach and wins by unanimous decision.

Photo: D.
Mandel/Sherdog.com

Lawler is a potent finisher.

Nikita
Krylov: It will be a very interesting fight between
two devastating punchers. Each of them can throw heavy leather with
both hands. It will be a surefire candidate to pick up the bonus
for the most entertaining fight. I love those guys that have
interesting fights and have the power to knock their opponent out
at any time. Welterweight is a very deep and competitive division,
and being the champ is a huge statement. I don’t even want to guess
or assume who will be the champion, because these guys are hitting
like heavyweights and anything can happen. We’ll just have to wait
and see.

Tony
Martin: Lawler wins by TKO in the later rounds. Lawler
has a death touch in his hands. Hendricks is explosive, but Lawler
is nasty.

Ryan
Benoit: I think Johny is going to add a new KO to his
highlight reel, just like [Martin] Kampmann and [Jon] Fitch. Johny
wins by KO in round one.

Tom
Niinimaki: They both have heavy hands, but I think
it's going to be Johny’s strength that earns him the decision
victory.

Seth
Baczynski: I’ve got Robbie. It’s going to be a great
scrap, but Robbie has experience and great combinations. Plus, he
throws kicks and knees, while Johnny throws punches. If Robbie can
get up if he gets taken down, then I think he will win. Either way,
it’s a “Fight of the night”-caliber main event.

Josh
Sampo: This is a fight I’m really excited to see. I
feel that it is not going to the judges. Looking at it as a
spectator, I think that everything favors Hendricks, but the new
smarter-fighting Lawler is never one to count out. He is dangerous
at all times. Based on facial hair, I have to go with Hendricks, as
well. He needs to braid that beard up, put some beads in it and
whip Lawler with it. If the fight stays on its feet, I feel that
it’s anyone’s to take. However, it can go to the ground whenever
Hendricks wants it to. I feel the winner gets his hand raised by
KO.

Ramiro
Hernandez: I think that they both have power in their
hands, but I give the edge in striking versatility to Rob.
Hendricks is a better wrestler, but Rob has shown the ability to
get back to his feet against high-level wrestlers in the past. I
think Rob’s southpaw stance gives Hendricks trouble landing his big
left hand. Rob will stuff his takedowns and keep it on the feet,
eventually out-striking him. I give this fight to Robbie via TKO in
the third.

Mike
Rhodes: I’m picking Hendricks via nasty left hand.
Lawler is tough as nails and it will take a big hammer to take him
out, but Hendricks carries Thor’s Hammer under that left glove.

Mike
Ciesnolevicz: There is no denying Hendricks looked
great against GSP and should be the champ right now. Hendricks was
on the wrong end of a horrible decision. Lawler has a lot of
momentum going for him. He is a former world champion coming down
to the correct weight class for him. He is bringing with him a ton
of experience and a new, improved skill set. Robbie seems to be in
better shape, more well-rounded and more technical these days.
Although Hendricks hits hard, I think Lawler is going to find his
opening at some point in the fight. Lawler wins by TKO within three
rounds. It could look like the [Josh] Koscheck-Lawler fight.

Zach
Makovsky: I have a feeling this fight won’t make it
past the second round, and even though it will be somewhat short,
it will be a barnburner. Hendricks wins by TKO.

Kyle
Kingsbury: I’m rooting for Robbie the whole way, but
Hendricks will win.

Pat
Miletich: After training Rob for over a decade, I’m a
little partial on this one. Both guys obviously have a lot of KO
power, but Rob is a slick striker and knows how to set traps. Johny
could walk through most guys’ shots but won’t be able to do that
with Rob. Johny has the edge in wrestling pedigree, but most people
underestimate Rob’s wrestling and scrambling ability, and nobody
understands the power until he hits them. I say Lawler pulls this
off via KO in the second round.

Colton
Smith: If Hendricks plays it safe and utilizes a
wrestling and a smart pressure game plan, he will win the lopsided
decision; but if he decides to test who has the bigger hammer, the
underdog Lawler will win by devastating KO.

Travis
Lutter: I think this is a very hard fight to pick, but
I am going with Hendricks in this one. Hendricks is the better
wrestler, but I would guess he is going to want to bang, so
hopefully this one is fun to watch.